Sandon Cricket Club

26/04/2026

Season opener in the books — and despite the result, there was loads to like. Stone SP 3rd XI posted 193–6, but we had long stretches where the bowling looked lively and dangerous. Shake off a bit of early‑season rust and that total suddenly looks very gettable.

Chasing 193, we battled hard for our 155 all out, showing intent, aggression and some really promising partnerships. Not the win we wanted, but absolutely the kind of performance you can build a season on.

Man of the Match: Nishad Shamundsen
Class with the bat. Sharp behind the stumps. Set the standard for everyone else. Outstanding start.

Plenty of positives. Plenty of hunger. Bring on next week.

21/09/2025

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🏏 Grit, Glory & Great Spirit: Sandon CC Ends Season on a High!

Yesterday, the Sandon Estate Ground witnessed a thrilling finale to the North Staffs & South Cheshire Division 5 season, as Sandon CC 1st XI took on league leaders Woore CC 1st XI in atrocious conditions.

Despite relentless rain, both teams showed incredible determination to complete the match in true cricketing spirit.

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What Was at Stake?

• Woore needed 9 points to secure the Division 5 title, having already sealed promotion.

• For Sandon, it was an emotional day – Steve Greatholder’s last match as captain, though he’ll continue to play for the club.

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First Innings: Woore 127 all out (36 overs)

Sandon won the toss and bowled first, producing a superb team effort:

• Saj Fernando starred with 4 wickets for 21 runs off 7.3 overs.
• John Cotton, Greg Swanwick, and Dave Hassall kept the pressure on.
• The champagne moment? Captain Steve Greatholder dismissing Woore’s star man Jamie Birch for 31 – a huge wicket, given Birch had scored 899 runs this season at an average of 56.

Woore were bowled out for 127.

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Second Innings: Sandon chase down 128 in 37 overs

The chase was tricky on a soggy pitch with poor light:

• Rich Whitehead led the way with a gritty 48 runs – an innings full of concentration and class.
• Dave Nash (16) and Guy Wilkinson (20) provided vital support.
• Andy Wootton and Saj Fernando finished the job in the 37th over.
Special mention to Finn McGinley, who walked for an LBW appeal before the umpire’s decision – a true act of sportsmanship.

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Player of the Match

Plenty of contenders, but Rich Whitehead takes it for his match-winning 48 in brutal conditions. On a dry day, it could easily have been a century.

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Captain’s Words

“Batting second on that soggy, skiddy track was really tricky. The light was very poor at times. Anyone who batted time out there deserves real credit. Nashy and Guy were brilliant, but Richie’s innings was superb and split the sides. Fantastic concentration and grit to stick it out.” – Steve Greatholder

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Thank You to Our Supporters

As the season closes, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Sandon CC this year – players, families, volunteers, sponsors, and our amazing supporters who’ve braved all weathers to cheer us on. Your commitment keeps this club thriving and makes days like yesterday possible.

There’s so much to look forward to next season – it’s been a brilliant dressingroom to be part of and with some brilliant new signings to be announced soon we’re looking to an exciting 2026.

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20/09/2025

🏏 A Special Day at Sandon Estate Ground – Farewell Captain Steve 🏏

Today isn’t just the last game of the season for Sandon CC 1st XI—it’s the end of a truly special chapter. At 12.30pm, we take on Woore CC 1st XI in Division 5 of the North Staffs South Cheshire Cricket League, but all eyes will be on one man: Steve Greatholder.

This is Steve’s final match as captain. For the last four years, he’s been the heart and soul of our club. He’s led us with courage, passion, and a quiet determination—always putting the team first, always putting his body on the line, and always doing the unseen work that makes our cricket possible. From rallying the troops on tough days to sorting the kit, the team, the fixtures, the scorers and a hundred other things, Steve has given everything for Sandon CC.

We’ve shared wins, losses, laughter, and the odd tear, but above all, we’ve shared memories that will last a lifetime. Steve, you’ve made us better cricketers and better people. Thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to the club. You leave a legacy as captain that will inspire us for years to come and we hope you have many more years of enjoying playing cricket with us.

Today’s team:

• Steve Greatholder (C)
• Finn McGinley (wkt)
• Richard Whitehead
• Greg Swanwick
• Dave Hassall
• Saj Fernando
• Adrian Rushton
• Dave Nash
• John Cotton
• Andy Wootton
• Guy Wilkinson

Let’s give Steve the send-off as captain he deserves. Come down, cheer the lads on, and help us celebrate a true Sandon legend. Here’s to you, skipper—one more time.

14/09/2025

Rain Can’t Stop a Thriller at Leycett! 🌧️🏏

Saturday saw Sandon Cricket Club 1st XI take on Leycett CC 2nd XI in the North Staffs South Cheshire League – and what a game it turned out to be!

Persistent rain meant a delayed start and a reduced format of 35 overs per side. Leycett won the toss and put Sandon in to bat.

Openers Saj Fernando and Saj Kahakachchi laid a steady platform with 19 runs before Leycett’s bowlers began to make inroads.

Rich Whitehead led the way with a well constructed 31, supported by contributions from Dave Nash and Andy Wootton, but wickets fell at key moments. With no one in the middle or lower order reaching double figures, Sandon closed on 159.

After further rain interruptions, Leycett’s target was revised to 149 from 33 overs.

Defending the total was never going to be easy.

Fernando and Dave Hassall opened the bowling without luck as Leycett’s openers put on 89 for the first wicket.

The breakthrough came courtesy of Greg Swanwick, sparking a spirited fightback. Guy Wilkinson bowled beautifully, and the skipper put his fitness on the line to deliver crucial overs and wickets at the death.

It all came down to the wire – Leycett reached the target with just two balls to spare. A nail-biting finish that had everyone on edge!

No standout individual this week – it was a true team effort. Rich batted superbly, while Guy, Steve and Greg impressed with the ball.

Despite the result, the lads showed real grit and made it a fantastic contest.

Cricket was the winner. 🏏👏

07/09/2025

🏏 Match Report: Rode Park & Lawton CC 2nd XI vs Sandon CC 1st XI
North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League – Division 5

📍 Rode Park & Lawton CC | 🗓 Yesterday

Rode Park won the toss and elected to bat
first.

Sandon started brilliantly with the new ball thanks to Greg Swanwick and Saj Fernando, both bowling with great control and intent. Greg was unlucky not to have even better figures and another wicket or two.

Alfie Thomas claimed his first wicket for Sandon and bowled beautifully. Supported well by the rest of the attack, Sandon restricted Rode Park to 175-5 from 40 overs – a strong effort in the field.

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The Chase

Sandon’s reply got off to a rocky start after a couple of tight LBW decisions left us reeling at 29-4.

Enter Captain Steve Greatholder and Alfie. The pair steadied the ship with calm, controlled batting before finding fluency and making the chase look very achievable. Their partnership of 89 runs was a masterclass in resilience.
Steve top-scored with 46 despite carrying an injury, while Alfie added a classy 36.

Unfortunately, once the partnership was broken, wickets fell quickly, and despite some late resistance, Sandon finished 17 runs short.

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Man of the Match

Plenty of contenders this week:
• Greg & Nando for their opening spells
• Alfie for his superb 8-over spell (1-20) and vital runs
• Steve for his spirited fielding and top score of 46

🏅 This week’s Sandon Man of the Match: Steve Greatholder

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Another game full of ifs, buts, and maybes, but the team showed fantastic energy and spirit throughout.

Only two games left this season – let’s finish strong! 💪

06/09/2025

Thank you to Gary and Spyderbats for the kind donation of tomorrow’s match balls at the Sandon Cricket Club cricket festival. 🏏 Much appreciated.

All welcome to come down and join us at the Sandon Hall Estate Ground for prizes, food, bar and, of course, cricket!! 🎉🏏🎉🏆🏆🏆

25/08/2025

Less than two weeks to go! Come down to the Sandon ground for what promises to be a fun, action packed day! 🏏🍻 Let’s raise some funds for the clubhouse build! 💪🏻🚿🏠

24/08/2025

24/08/2025

🏏 Match Report – Sandon CC 1st XI at Stone SP 3rd XI

North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League – Division 5

📍 Swynnerton Park

📅 Saturday, 23 August

On a challenging wicket at Swynnerton Park, Sandon CC 1st XI came out on top in a low-scoring thriller against Stone SP 3rd XI.

Sandon won the toss and elected to bat, but runs were hard to come by on a pitch offering unpredictable bounce and sharp turn. The visitors were bowled out for 81 in the 25th over, with Nishad Shamsudeen top-scoring with a gritty 26 – a knock the skipper later described as “worth double on that wicket.” Only Finn McGinley and Saj Kahakachchi also reached double figures.

In reply, Sandon’s bowlers rose to the occasion, dismissing Stone for 77 in the 31st over to seal a dramatic 4-run victory.

Bowling Highlights:
• Saj Fernando: 7.4 overs, 3 wickets for 23
• Greg Swanwick: 8 overs, 3 wickets for 18
• Nishad: 8 overs, 2 wickets for just 8 runs

The skipper praised the team’s resilience, saying:

“We gave wickets away again, but the wicket had your name on it – everyone tried to hit everything. Spinners were taking chunks out of the pitch, and we didn’t go more than 3-4 overs without losing a wicket.

In the field, we were excellent again. Nishad was outstanding with bat, ball, and in the field. A few edges kept them in it, but we held our nerve.

Nando finished it in style with two outswingers and an in-ducker to bowl their No.11 – cue proper celebrations!

Great game, very sporting, no arguments, just tough cricket on a tough wicket.”

Man of the Match:

🏅 Nishad Shamsudeen – for his all-round brilliance (26 runs, 2 wickets for 8, and superb fielding).

A fantastic team effort and a memorable win for Sandon CC! 💪

23/08/2025

🏏 Match Day Update! 🏏

North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League – Division 5

Stone SP CC 3rd XI vs Sandon CC 1st XI

📍 Swynnerton Park

🕛 Start Time: 13.00

Sandon CC 1st XI are on the road today, taking on Stone SP CC 3rd XI in what promises to be an exciting clash! 💪

Team for Sandon CC:

• Steve Greatholder (C)

• Finn McGinley

• Richard Whitehead

• Dave Nash

• Nishad Shamsudeen

• Saj Kahakachchi

• Greg Swanwick

• Guy Wilkinson

• Dave Hassall

• Mark Attwood

• Saj Fernando

Let’s get behind the lads and wish them the best of luck! 🔥

Let’s enjoy a day with our bats at a beautiful venue.

Updates to follow throughout the day – stay tuned!